GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The UF/IFAS Small Farms and Alternative Enterprises Extension Team will present the Mid-Florida Specialty Crops Conference from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 6 at the UF/IFAS Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka.

This marks the second of a series of new regional events created by a team of UF/IFAS Extension agents.

“Participants will walk away with knowledge of how to establish, manage and market fruits and vegetables in Central Florida,” said Orange County Extension Director Richard Tyson, one of the event’s organizers. “They will also obtain a better understanding of local food systems.”

Session topics include vegetable, grape and blueberry production, post-harvest handling, food safety audits, local and wholesale marketing and integrated pest management.

Experienced farmers will speak, and growers can talk to UF/IFAS experts about their challenges, successes and opportunities.

“Farmers will find three important elements in this event: classroom education, recommendations from actual growers, and on-site demonstrations,” Tyson said.

Keynote speaker John Rife, owner and founder of East End Market, will talk about how local agriculture can revitalize regional economies. Additionally, Orange County Commissioner Bryan Nelson will talk about the importance of agriculture in Central Florida.

Check out the Conference Program and Register online at: www.midfloridaconference.eventbrite.com Registration fee is $30 early bird, $40 after Oct. 25. Registration includes refreshments, lunch and educational materials.

For more information, contact Jose Perez at joseperezoro@ufl.edu or call 352-294-1692.

-30-

By: Brad Buck, 352-294-3303, bradbuck@ufl.edu

Source: Jose Perez, Name, 352-294-1692, joseperezoro@ufl.edu

0